Toronto Police have confirmed that no criminal charges will be filed in connection with the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl who was missing for nearly two weeks before being found safe in Rexdale.
Investigation Complete
Police media relations officer Stephanie Miceli stated on Friday, 'The investigation is complete and no criminal charges have been laid.' She added, 'We won't be providing more information on the investigation. As you can appreciate, this involves a young person and there are privacy considerations. We're grateful that our officers found (her) safe and that she is getting the care she needs.'
Disappearance and Search
The teen was initially reported missing from the Earl Bales Park area on May 15 by her family. A extensive search ensued, involving officers, canine units, and community members from the Jewish community, who distributed posters through Shomrim Toronto across the city. A $25,000 reward was also offered for information leading to her safe return.
Discovery in Rexdale
The girl was found on May 28 in the basement apartment of a home in Rexdale, appearing to be in good physical health. Police traced her to the location after she was spotted the previous day at a Walmart near Rexdale Blvd. and Islington Ave. and believed to have walked into a nearby residential area.
A resident near where she was located described the scene to the Toronto Sun's Joe Warmington: 'They went up and down the street to check to see if neighbours had security video.' The resident noted that when officers spoke with a neighbour who had a camera, 'everything changed. They were all running there toward the house.'
Within moments, officers 'brought out a white man of about 30 and put him in a police car,' the witness said. Then, the girl emerged, 'wearing a black hoodie and a jacket and seemed to be walking fine. They put her in a police car as well and then left.'
Family's Response
The girl's family expressed gratitude after she was found, urging the public to avoid speculation. Family spokesperson Maureen Leshem told reporters on May 28, 'Thousands of people came out to help from all walks of life. Not just from our community but from the entire community. People as far as Hamilton, we had old people, young people, children, wherever they could poster, wherever they could spread the word, everyone was willing to do what they needed to do regardless of whether they knew (her) or not.'
Police had initially stated they would examine whether there was evidence of criminality associated with her prolonged disappearance, but ultimately determined no charges were warranted.
